Bodybuilding team sets high targets

By Philip Orwa

With the rise in popularity of bodybuilding, Kisumu-based Otoyo Muscle Team will stop at nothing to excel.

Started two years ago, the Ondiek Estate-based club, which has been participating in several bodybuilding tournaments across Kenya, has seen its members awarded handsomely for their prowess.

 “I started participating in bodybuilding tournaments in Kisumu in 2000. I took part in the Mr Kisumu contest in the welterweight category where I finished second after Bokasa Onyango, the eventual winner of Mr Kenya contest,” said club founder Nickson Odhiambo Angiela alias Otoyo told FeverPitch. 

After participating in several events, Otoyo decided to start Otoyo fitness gym in 2010 in Kisumu’s Ondiek Estate.

With the burning desire to conquer the bodybuilding world and hard work, Otoyo has led his ten-member team from the front, winning various titles.

Mr Kericho Title

“I won in the heavyweight category during the Mt. Elgon contest in 2008 besides winning Mr Kericho title in 2010 and in Nairobi last year in the same category,” says Otoyo.

Steve Onyiko boasts of winning in the lightweight category during the Mr Kericho contest this year a feat which has also been achieved by Juma Hassan.

 “I participated in the African championship in 2010 where I finished third in the heavyweight category besides lifting the Muscle Mania African championships title in Nairobi last year,” said Juma.

His other achievements include winning the Mr Eldoret title in the middleweight category in 2008, a title he retained in 2010. He was second during the Mr Kericho contest this year. 

Otoyo, whose ambition is to become Kenya’s number one bodybuilder, says his team’s aim is to become the best team in Africa despite the many challenges they are facing.

 “We face several challenges, the society first looks at us like bad people, the Government too, does not recognise body building as a sport and hardly supports it,” he says.

“The bodybuilding federation hardly organises events, so the morale of the athletes has gone down. Besides, we lack sponsors,” adds Otoyo. 

Meanwhile, a Nairobi businessman Hillary Alila has urged the Government to recognise and promote bodybuilding as it is done to other sports disciplines.

Alila, who has been sponsoring many sports activities, said many bodybuilders are discouraged from taking the sport as a dream career because of lack of support by the Government.

 “Many bodybuilders are opting for other sports like rugby, tae-kwon-do and boxing which get support from their respective federations and backing from the Government due to lack of motivation,” observed Alila.

 “Bodybuilding is a very expensive sport and the athletes who participate in the event need proper diet, they also need to pay gym fees among others,” said Alila.

“If the bodybuilders get sponsorship and recognition, many of the young jobless Kenyans will always take part in the event and earn a living,” he added in Kisumu yesterday.